TRAKTIVIST is the premiere website to discover music made by Asian North Americans, as featured on Google & NBC News. Launched in 2015, our platform was created to bring more visibility and sustainability to Asian American artists.
WEBSITE - TRAKTIVIST.COM
Our groundbreaking website operates as a central, online hub, offering quality, convenience, and cultural value through our unique cataloging. Search by Ethnicity, Genre, Role, and Instrument!
From new releases to undiscovered gems, listen to our playlists on Spotify !
"...the story we find between the notes of Asian American music is sometimes nothing less than the story of Asian America itself."
- Dr. Oliver Wang
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Spotify | Instagram | Newsletter
MEET THE TEAM!
Richie is the founder of TRAKTIVIST TM. Richie was previously part of Transparent Arts helping to manage artists such as Far East Movement, Dumbfoundead, Tiffany Young (Girls Generation), & Yultron, while also programming national tours & festivals, such as IDENTITY LA & HERITAGE SF. He is now the Music Licensing Manager at 2K.
Combining his passion for the Asian American music scene, DJ skills of 20 years, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Richie has established community partnerships and endorsements from The White House Initiative for Asian American & Pacific Islanders, The City of Los Angeles, Center for Asian American Media, Transparent Arts, Ros Marketing, MYXtv, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, ISAtv, Kollaboration, 626 Night Market, Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture, Japanese American National Museum, etc.
Lauren Lee is our Events Director. She is also an events producer, artist manager and has worked as a talent buyer, nonprofit executive, and community organizer.
In her career as an artist manager and talent buyer, Lee has seen the discrepancy in the industry of how Asian Americans are consistently overlooked or excluded from industry communities that often succeed. She started work reversing these trends with Kollaboration SF, and after being executive director for 18 months, she moved to LA to join efforts with community leaders in Asian American media.
Lauren Lee has officially kicked off Two Rooms, a new monthly show in Los Angeles focusing on “feel-it-in-your-bones” live music. The event series is the “third space” you didn’t know you needed, where you can celebrate the enthralling energy that’s only possible in real-life, real-time, analog connections.
Lee has been a fan and follower of TRAKTIVIST since its inception, and with her move in the fall of 2017, joined the team.
Stephanie Lamond is a San Francisco-based artist, writer, and creative producer. She currently writes for Traktivist and the Women's International Music Network, and as Lucky Lamond, records original music inspired heavily by her family's immigrant stories from Ireland and China. She also contributes to recordings as a songwriter, engineer, and session musician. Podcast producer and composer credits include the One and Dunn podcast and Women of NAMM's ReVoicing the Future, and she has produced music industry gatherings and sessions from mentorship programs to large-scale community builders for companies like KMD Productions, NAMM, and the Recording Academy. Through it all, she aims to uplift the stories that make us who we are, so that those who come after are free to be all they can be. Learn more about her work at unpavedroads.studio.
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What the Community Says About Us:
Momo Chang, Content Manager, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
"It's really exciting to see a new platform for Asian American musicians through Traktivist and the Traktivist podcast. CAAM has been partnering with Richie of Traktivist since May 2015, where he shares bi-monthly playlists of new songs by APA artists. Richie's breadth and depth of knowledge about pioneering and up-and-coming APA artists is astounding. His passion for music and for amplifying the voices of APA musicians is very clear."
Christine Minji Chang, Executive Director, Kollaboration
"The combination of passion and prowess is so powerful in Traktivist.com. This website and endeavor is a manifestation of a true love for the Asian American community and the art that we create to tell our stories. It's amazing to learn about both the past and present through all the music discovered through Traktivist. This platform allows art to be a contributor and conduit to a much bigger and necessary conversation of identity, racism, and the role that the creative mediums play in changing cultural norms. The partnership and genuine friendship between Kollaboration and Traktivist is just another example of why I feel so honored to be a part of this artistic community. It's astounding to witness the work that goes into sustaining this artistic movement and so inspiring to keep creating. It's a true team effort to advance the API community forward in creativity, understanding, and impact."
John Swing, Business Development Specialist, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
"Ronald Takaki, a prominent American historian, once said, “how do we free ourselves from our past, if we do not even know this past?” This quote reminds us to search different medians to empower and especially, accept who we are. One median that is often used is - *MUSIC*. Traktivist is a vessel for music. Traktivist helps us learn about ourselves and how we celebrate uniqueness in expression and embracing our kapwa (our community).As the leading organization in the Filipino American community, SIPA is honored to have Traktivist as a community partner. We appreciate all that Traktivist has done for our Filipino American community and are committed in supporting its business through advocacy and outreach!"
Ada Tseng, Writer & Editor, Asia Pacific Arts
"Traktivist is the Asian American music lover's dream website. Richie has created an invaluable archive that shows how truly diverse and multifaceted the landscape of Asian American music has always been."
Annie Choi, Owner, Found Coffee
"Traktivist is a website for the Asian American community by the Asian American community. They bring awareness to the wonderful, diverse, and unique talent that is sometimes undiscovered by the larger population. Its founders are passionate about supporting the rich history of our people by providing a platform for artists to tell their stories through their music. I, as an Asian American small business owner, am thankful for the support that they have shown me. Traktivist brought the house down by providing the soundtrack to our Grand Opening party. Not only does Traktivist support artists, they support local businesses as well. Thank you, Traktivist, for being an integral part of our community! Keep doing what you do."